I have an old postcard, from the early 20th century, in hand-written Yiddish. I was wondering if anyone out there in the Agora world can read this language, and if so, would they be willing to take a look and tell me more or less what the thing says. I figure it's just a basic postcard, but I'm still curious. Can you or anyone you know help me out here?

Check a library for Leo Rosten's Joys of Yiddish and the updated The New Joys of Yiddish. The list price of the updated version was $35.00, but I picked up a copy at a local place called Ollie's that sells overstock of books, tools, and Lord knows what else, for $9.99 Even if it doesn't help with the postcard it's still a good read. It's filled with stories or parables that help explain the word.

Part of a typical entry:

grobgraubgrobergraubergrobyongraubyon

Pronounced GRUB or GRAWB, to rhyme with "daub," and GRAW-ber. From the german: grob, "course, uncouth, rough."

I downloaded a relatively high-res copy from the webshots website. As my ability to read Yiddish is, uh, less than optimal, I'll consult with a friend whose mother tongue is Yiddish. I'll post the results in a week or so.

I downloaded a relatively high-res copy from the webshots website. As my ability to read Yiddish is, uh, less than optimal, I'll consult with a friend whose mother tongue is Yiddish. I'll post the results in a week or so.

Paul

Thanks, Paul! I look forward to the results, whatever they may be. I don't expect history-altering news from it, but I do hope to find out what it says, at least in part.

Thanks to your friend, too.

Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.

Perry wrote:I gave it a try, but in vain. The letters are Hebrew characters, but I am no Yiddish expert. And the handwriting is tiny and crowded. Sorry!

Thanks for the attempt. Maybe one of these days I'll find a Hebrew-reading Yiddish expert who can make some sense of the thing. I'll need to find a new place to try, though. The Agora is one of only three I belong to that stood a chance, and I've struck out on all three. Good thing this isn't baseball, eh?

Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.

The handwritten text appears to be from a brother and sister to other family members, including a mother-in-law, sister-in-law, niece and perhaps others. The writer(s) seem to feel that the other members of the family are angry with them as they are not responding to earlier letters. There also seems to be a reference to someone burdened with troubles, and a wish extended for good health.

Thanks for the information, Paul. I figured it was probably a family-type card, but never thought of how much there might be there. It would be a rare find to come up with more details from some historical treasure trove.

Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.